Portable lamp.



H. D. McFADDIN.

I PORTABLE LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, I915. RENEWED MAR. 8. 1918.

1,262,964.. Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES INVENTOR A ttorneys H. D. MCFADDBN.

Y PORTABLE LAMP. APPLICATION FIL ED MAR.!2,19I5- RENEWED MAR- 8| 191B. L26Z,96%o Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. 11v VENTOR flarriwrz AM 9 0676772.

ajm *6 A ltorneys Haimrsou s. McFADDIN, or nasr ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

PORTABLE LAMP.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

Application filed March 12, 1915, Serial No. 13,903. Renewed March 8, 1918. Serial No. 221,328.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, HARRISON D. Mo-

FADDIN, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding in East Orange, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Portable Lamp, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in lamps, more particularly portable electric lamps, and the objects of the invention are to simplify the construction of the lamps of this type now in use, to increase their eificiency, and to extend their sphere of usefulness.

With the foregoing objects in View, the invention embodies certain improved features of construction, among which may be particularly mentioned clamping mechanism for detachably securing a lamp to the arm of a chair, bed-post, or other support; an improved shade-holder which permits of the shade being readily tilted or adjusted as desired, and improved means for securing the shade to the holder, whichmeans also serves as a ventilating member.

Features of the invention, other than those-specified, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawmgs.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one practical embodiment of the present invention, but the construction shown therein is to be understood as-illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure l is a side elevation of a portable lamp embodying the present invention, certain portions of the lamp being shown' in section, in the interest of clearness.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the upper portion of the lamp, showing the shade tilted out of its normally upright position, and

Fig. 3 is an underneath plan view of the base of the lamp.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a lamp socket of any common, well-known type, which is supported upon a base B, through the medium of an intermediate clamping member C. The clamping mem ber C is in the form of a divided sphere, one portion 0 of which is secured to the lamp socket, the other portionc being provided with a depending stem 0 The parts are maintained in proper position'by a bolt 0 with which a wing nut is adapted to cooperate. When nut 0 is loosened, the lamp socket A is pivotally movable into any desired angular relation relative to the base of the lamp, but, when the nut c is tightened, the parts a and c are forced together, and the friction therebetween suflices "to maintain the lamp in the position desired.

The improved form of base B, shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, embodies a core member D, which is shown in the form of a casting, the same lending sufiicient weight to the base to give the lamp stability. In order to increase the esthetic appearance of the base, the same is provided with an outside shell E, of ornamental shape or design and so proportioned relative to the core member that the latter fits within the ornamental shell and is concealed from view thereby. The core member D is provided with an upwardly extending, threaded stem (Z, onto which is adapted to be screwed the internally threaded, depending stem 0 of the clamping member C, and the upper edge of the ornamental shell is so proportioned that the threaded portion of the plug 0 will enter the open upper end of shell E to engage with stem (Z of the core. Furthermore, stem 0 is provided with a shoulder 0 whereby, when said stem is screwed down tightly upon stem d of the core, shoulder 0 will engage with the upper edge of shell E, thereby clamping said shell between the lower portion of the core and the shoulder of the clamping member. Thus, when the parts are assembled as described, the core and its ornamental shell will be rigidly locked together in a simple and efficient manner.

As heretofore stated, one of the salient-'- objects of the present invention is the production of a lamp provided with improved means whereby the same may be positioned upon a bed-post, chair, or other support, Where the base of the lamp would occupy a position other than with its axis vertical.

With this end in view, the central portion at the base of the core member D is cut out to allow of the reception of a clamping member within the base of the lamp in its inoperative position. This clamping member is shown in the drawings in the form of a substantially U-shaped member F formed of bent wire f, the opposite ends of which are bent to form eyes f, through which a pivot pin f may be passed. Pivot pin f is fixedly secured to the core member at its opposite into concealed position by means of a helical spring G, which is coiled around the pivot pin f One end of spring G is extended at a substantially right angle to the pivot pin and is provided with a hook gadapted to engage with the under side of clamping member F, whereas the opposite end g of said spring projects into engagement with a portion of the core D. When in position, the spring is under tension and thus serves to normally maintain the clamping member F in the recess of the base. It will be manifest, however, that said clamping member may be moved to a position external of the base, against the tension of spring G.

In utilizing the means described for securing the base of the lamp in rigid position upon any supporting medium, such, 6. g., as the arm of a chair, the U-shaped clamping member F is moved against the tension of spring G to a position exterior of the base of the lamp, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and to such extent that the free end of said member is of a distance equal to, or greater than, the thickness of the arm of the chair. The lamp is then manipulated to bring the arm of the chair intermediate the base of said lamp and the free end of the clamping member, whereupon the clamping member is released, at which time the spring G will opcrate to tightly clamp the arm of the chair between the base of the lamp and the clamping member F. To preclude the scratching or marring of a polished surface by the clamping member F, the wire 9 which forms said member is preferably provided with a rubber or felt covering f This covering insures a better frictional grip of said clampcorresponding face of said supporting member, but will only engage said supporting member at its free end. It will be noted, from the drawings and particularly Fig. l,

the lamp socket and electric bulb mounted Laoaaee in dotted lines in Fig. l, the clamping action transmitted through the free end of the clamping member will be at the opposite side of the medial line of the lamp from that side where the force or tension is applied.

Consequently, the lamp cannot creep under 7a the action of the spring and, once the lamp is in position, it will be securely locked in such position, against inadvertent displacement, until manually removed. The upturned end of clamping member F also adapts the same for more eflicient engagement with a supporting member having a curved surface, in which instance said clamping member would embrace said surface at a plurality of points, and slipping would be precluded In a portable lamp of the class described, it is particularly advisable to provide a shade which will be adjustable, so that, when therein are tilted in angular relation to the base of the lamp, said shade may be correspondingly manipulated to direct the rays of light as desired. Accordingly, l have illustrated in the drawings means for bringing about this result, which means are of an improved character, simple in construction, and highly efficient in operation.

Mounted upon the upper portion of the lamp socket A is a ring H, which is secured Jl to the socket by means of a spring ring it, so as to be rigidly secured thereon. Positloned at points diametrically opposite one another, on the exterior of the ring H, is a pair of upwardly extending, diverging sup- 10E porting brackets I of equal length, the upward ends of which are shaped to form eyes. With each of these eyes cooperate similarly formed members. positioned at the lower ends of a pair of complementary carrier no arms J, which converge upwardly. Carrier arms J are pivotally secured to the supporting brackets I by means of a rivet i passing through the eyelets on onecarrier arm and one supporting bracket, and a threaded bolt z" passing through the eyelets of the other carrier arm and other supporting bracket. A wing nut 71 cooperates'with the bolt 2" to lock itsrespective arm J against pivotal movement. The upper ends of the carrier 1% arms J are riveted or otherwise secured to a carrier member K, the upper end of which is closed, except for ventilating openings hereinafter to be described, and at its center is provided withan aperture into which is adapted to be screwed the stem Z of a cap L. c Carrier member K tapers upwardly, and the exterior tapering face thereof forms a seat for a acking ring m, of asbestos or other desirab 1e material. This packing ring 1% aaoaeae serves as a seat. for the inturned flange m at the upper edge of a shade M. When the flange m of'the shade is seated upon the packing ring 17, which is precluded from slipping down by, the tapering of the carrier member K, said shade may be locked against movement in the opposite direction by screwing the stem Z of cap L into the threaded aperture of said carrier member, which operation will cause the lower edge of the cap to engage with the flared side of the shade. Thus, the shade is rigidly secured to the carrier member K.

It is desirable to provide suitable ventilation at the upper portion of theshade, whereby the air within the shade, when heated by the bulb, may pass out through the top of said shade, and, accordingly, I provide a plurality of apertures 77. in the carrier member K and correspondingly positioned apertures a in the cap L. These apertures are of comparatively small size and, accordingly, it will require but a slight turn of the cap L to bring the apertures in the cap into alinement with the apertures in the carrier member, or to shift said apertures out of alinement, as desired. This slight rotation of the cap L is of such small degree as not tov afi'ect the function of the cap in locking the shade in place. When the apertures in the carrier member are in alinement with the apertures in the cap, the heated air within the shade may" pass through said apertures, and excess heating of the parts is obviated.

It will be noted that the supporting brackets I are of such length as to extend Well up into the shade, so that the operating parts of the shade adjusting mechanism are concealed from view. This renders the construction more pleasing in appearance and, at the same time, leaves the exterior of the shade free and unobstructed, thereby allowing of itspolishing, cleaning or dusting, without the polishing medium coming into contact with projecting parts.

It will, of course, be understood that the loosening of the wing nut i allows of the pivotal movement of the shade, but that said shade may be locked in any desired osition by the tightening of said wing nut.

he wiring for the bulb N may be led thereto in any suitable manner, forming no part of the present invention, and, therefore, I have not considered it necessary to illustrate the same.

It will be manifest, from the foregoing description, that the present invention embodies a lam which is highly esthetic in appearance, simple in construction, easy to manipulate, and of a minimum number of parts. The construction illustrated in the drawings is that which I prefer to employ, although minor changes may be made, from time to time, in adapting the invention to its o varlous environments. I do not, therefore, restrict myself to the precise construction illustrated, but consider the invention as broadly novelas is commensurate with the .a bail pivotally mounted thereon, and a spring coiled around the pivot pin and cooperating with the bail and with the rigid frame for normally impelling the bail into a position interiorly of the chambered base, said bail being adapted to be withdrawn from the base against the tension of the spring for the purpose of clamping a support between the bail and the rigid frame, the bail being of such length. as to extend beyond the center of the base and bent longitudinally whereby only its free end engages with the support and creeping of the lamp on the support is precluded.

2. In a lam the combination of a pedestal having a e ambered base, a pivoted rlgid .U-shaped clamping member housed within the chamber of the base, and a spring separate from said clamping member but cooperating-therewith for normally impelling it into concealed position within the chambered .base.

3. In a lamp, the combination of a edestalhaving a chambered base a rigi core within said base, and a pivote spring-actuated clamping member mounted on the rigid core and normally concealed Within the chamber of the base.

4. In a lamp, the combination of a pedestal having a. chambered base, a substantially rigid frame positioned within, and secured to, said base, and a rigid, spring-actuated clamping member on said frame.

5. In a lamp, the combination of a pedestal having a chambered base, a rigid core therein, a pivoted clamping member secured to said core, and a spring coiiperating with the pivot of said clamping member and operating to normally position the clamp in concealed position-within the chamber of the base, said clamping member being adapted to be moved to a position exterior of the base, against the tension of the spring, for the purpose of engaging a support.

'6. In a lamp, the combination of a pedestal having a chambered base, a substantially rigldframe positioned within, and secured to, said base, and a spring-actuated, substantially U-shaped clamping member positioned within the chamber of the base.

7-. In a lamp, the combination of a pedestal having a chambered base, a substantially rigid frame positioned within, and secured to, said base, a clamping member pivoted on base.

said frame near the outeredge of said base and extending across the major portion of the base, and a spring cooperating with said clamping member for normally maintaining the same within the chamber of the base, said clamping member having a bent-up end whereby the clamping member is adapted to engage with a support at its free end only when withdrawn from the chamber of the 8. In a lamp, the combination of a pedestal having. a chambered base, a pivot pin fixedly secured within the base so as to extend across a portion of the chamber therein and near the outer edge of the base, a rigid U-shaped clamping member pivotally mounted on said pivot pin, and a spring coiled around said pivot pin, one end of which spring engages with the clamping member and the other-end of the spring being in engagement with a rigid portion of the base, whereby the clamping member is normally positioned within the chamber of the base ut is adapted to be withdrawn therefrom, against the tension of the spring, for the purpose of engaging a support.

aaaaaea 9. In a lamp, the combination of a pedestal having a chambered base, a pivot pin fixedly secured within the base so as to extend across a portion of the chamber therein and near the outer'edge of the base, .a rigid U-shaped clamping member pivotally mounted on said pivot pin, and a spring coiled around said pivot pin, one end of which spring engages with the clamping member and the other end of the spring being in engagement with a rigid portion of-the base, whereby the clamping member is normally positioned within the chamber of the base but is adapted to be withdrawn therefrom, against the tension of the spring, for the purpose of engaging a support, said clamping member being curved near its free end so as to engage with the support at its free end only. i

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRISON D. MCFADDIN. Witnesses:

CORNELIUS ZABRISKIE, F. S. FrrzsrMoNs. 

